Tick Bite Prevention—Wellness Wednesdays with Dr. Alison Maloof, ND 

Prevention is the key when it comes to tick-borne diseases. 

I’ll be sharing my top 3 tips for before going outside and my top 5 tips for after going outside. These tips can help reduce your chances of getting bit by ticks and contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. 

Top 3 Tips BEFORE Going Outside:

1. Light Colored Clothing: Wearing light colored clothing when spending time outdoors allows for easier identification of ticks that may be on you.
2. Quick-Dry Clothes: In addition to light colored clothing, wearing fabrics that are quick-drying can also help prevent ticks from staying on your clothes. Deer ticks thrive in moist and humid environments. Quick-dry clothing tends to help reduce local moisture and make it a less welcoming place for ticks.
3. Tick Repellant: There are many different bug/tick repellents on the market. Many repellents contain harsh chemicals such as permethrin or DEET. DEET has some concerns which include risk of neurological symptoms and CDC recommends lower concentrations for use on children. There are many natural repellents out there, but none have the same efficacy as Lemon-eucalyptus essential oil (derived from Eucalyptus citriodora plant). This oil is registered with the EPA and is recommended by the CDC for use for repelling ticks. ^1,2,3 Lemon-eucalyptus essential oil is safe for ages 3+ and can be purchased at our office in Rockport. 

Top 5 Tips AFTER Going Outside:

1. Lint Roller: Using a lint roller after a hike or walk outside BEFORE getting into your car. This can help trap any ticks that may be on the outside of your clothing and help to prevent them from getting into your car. 
2. High Heat Dryer: Immediately after getting home from spending time outdoors, remove all of your clothing and put them into the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes. Ticks have a difficult time surviving those high temperatures. 
3. Tick Check: After any possible exposure, do a full body tick check, I mean full body! Use a mirror as needed for those hard to see spots. Be sure to check your groin, armpits and any other places that tend to be more sweaty. Remember deer ticks can be the size of a small freckle! Check carefully. ³
4. Examine Pets: Pets often carry ticks inside the home and can expose you to them, especially those extra snuggly ones who sleep in your bed with you. Thoroughly examining your dog after possible tick exposure helps protect you. I recommend also talking with your veterinarian about how to best protect your animals from ticks.
5. Shower: After your thorough full body tick check, it is ideal to shower afterwards to ensure that any possible ticks on your body are removed. 

¹ “EWG's 2018 Guide to Bug Repellents.” Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/ewgs-2018-guide-bug-repellents#DEET. 

² “Find the Repellent That Is Right for You.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 19 Feb. 2021, www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you. 

³ “Prevent Tick and Mosquito Bites.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Oct. 2019, www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/about/prevent-bites.html. 

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About Dr. Alison R Maloof, ND
Dr. Maloof is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing at Atlas Naturopathic Health Center, a family healthcare practice in Rockport.  Dr. Maloof believes in treating her patients with a holistic approach, mapping a unique treatment plan based on your needs. She utilizes both modern and traditional therapies. Some of her featured services include: personalized nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy and professional-grade supplements. Dr. Maloof treats many conditions including: menopause, skin conditions, tick-borne diseases, autoimmune disorders, GI disorders, anxiety/depression, chronic conditions, men & women’s health, and more.

Dr. Maloof is accepting new patients at Atlas Naturopathic Health Center. She offers complimentary 15-minute phone consults to see if naturopathic medicine is the right fit for your needs.

For more information please visit https://www.atlasnaturopathic.com or call 207-466-9079.